Compare Cipro vs. Keflex
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Treats bacterial infections.
Cipro (ciprofloxacin) is a good, cheap antibiotic that treats many types of bacterial infections, but it interacts with some food and drugs.
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3.8/ 5 average rating with 755 reviewsforCipro
Treats bacterial infections.
Keflex (cephalexin) is good for treating many bacterial infections, and is available as a generic.
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3.7/ 5 average rating with 686 reviewsforKeflex
Upsides
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin) is available in generic.
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin) comes in different forms, including intravenous (IV) injection.
- Available in generic.
- Available in different forms: tablet, capsule, and suspension.
- Used to treat many types of bacterial infections.
- Can be taken with or without food.
- Generally few side effects compared with other antibiotics.
Downsides
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin) should be used with caution if you have kidney problems.
- If you drink caffeine while on Cipro (ciprofloxacin), you may notice increased effects of the caffeine.
- Some bacteria have developed resistance to Cipro (ciprofloxacin).
- Cipro (ciprofloxacin) can interact with many other medications. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what medications, over-the-counter products, and supplements you are taking before starting Cipro (ciprofloxacin).
- Can cause diarrhea.
- You may need to take Keflex (cephalexin) 2 to 4 times a day, which can be hard to remember.
- If you're allergic to penicillins or other antibiotics, you might not be able to take this medicine.
Used for
- Acute sinusitis
- Lower respiratory tract infection
- Hospital-acquired pneumonia
- Chronic bronchitis
- Kidney infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Gonorrhea
- Chronic prostatitis
- Bone and joint infection
- Skin and soft tissue infection
- Diarrheal infection
- Abdominal infection
- Postexposure prevention for anthrax inhalation
- Typhoid fever
- Bone infection
- Urinary tract infection
- Ear infection
- Respiratory tract infection
- Skin infection
- Community-acquired pneumonia
- Prevention of endocarditis
- Prevention of infection in people with prosthetic joint implants undergoing dental procedure
- Prosthetic joint infection
- Surgical site infection
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Injection
- Extended release pill
- Pill
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$17.13
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$8.91
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Reviews
755 reviews so far
63%
saidit'sworth it
53%
saiditworked well
17%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Cipro (ciprofloxacin)?
Leave a review686 reviews so far
64%
saidit'sworth it
48%
saiditworked well
14%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Keflex (cephalexin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Keflex (cephalexin) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Tendon rupture
- People over age 60
- Taking steroid medicine
- Those with kidney, heart, or lung transplants
- Myasthenia gravis
- Myasthenia gravis
- Diarrhea
- Nerve damage
- Central nervous system effects
- Central nervous system disorders
- Seizures
- Heart rhythm problems
- Use with other QT prolonging drugs
- History of heart disease
- Diarrhea
- New infections while taking Keflex (cephalexin)
- Weakened immune system
- Not taking Keflex (cephalexin) correctly
- Allergic reaction
- History of penicillin or cephalosporin allergies